Dementia is the name for a range of conditions that cause damage to the brain. This damage can affect memory, thinking, language and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

There are many conditions that cause dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause. Vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and Frontotemporal dementia are other causes. 

Symptoms of the disease 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common and well-known cause of dementia, and it is thought to cause over half of all cases. Short-term memory loss is often one of the first symptoms of this disease. However, there is a range of early signs and symptoms including: 

• Getting stuck for words 
• Misplacing things regularly 
• Losing track of time 
• Changes in mood and behaviour 
• Difficulty in finding the way, even in familiar places 

It is important to remember that symptoms vary from person to person as everyone’s experience with the disease is unique. 

Our vision is an Ireland where people on the journey of dementia are valued and supported.

Support for dementia 

For anyone who is concerned about their own health or that of a loved one and is looking for support, advice or help, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) operates the Alzheimer National Helpline. It offers information and support to anyone affected by dementia at 1800 341 341. 

Our vision is an Ireland where people on the journey of dementia are valued and supported. Our mission is to advocate, empower and champion the rights of people living with dementia and their communities to quality support and services. 

A national nonprofit organisation, the ASI is person-centred, rights-based and grassroots-led with the voice of the person with dementia and their carer at its core.

Being part of a community 

The ASI provides support and services to people with dementia and their carers across Ireland including Day Care, Day Care at Home, Home Care, Family Carer Training, Dementia Advisers, Alzheimer Cafes and Social Clubs. 

We celebrate 40 years this year, and there have been many milestones achieved since 1982 when carers Winifred Bligh and Imelda Gillespie held their first meeting and changed the face of dementia care in Ireland forever.

Forty years on, we are now a national organisation providing support, services and care for the 64,000 people living with dementia and their family carers in Ireland today.

The post Continuous support for people with dementia across Ireland appeared first on Health News.

Prof. Rose Anne Kenny, MD, FRCP, FRCPI

President IGS, Professor Medical Gerontology Trinity College and St James Hospital, Director MISA, founding PI TILDA Irish longitudinal study on Ageing

Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient that is needed for bone health and has been linked with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers and cognitive impairment.

More recently, vitamin D has been linked with the immune system’s function, with low levels leading to a higher risk of severe symptoms from respiratory infections, which could also include Covid-19.

Getting the necessary nutrients 

Vitamin D is made in the skin by exposing the body to just 10–15 minutes per day of sun. In Ireland, however, vitamin D can only usually be produced between late March and early October. From Halloween to St Patrick’s day, we cannot make vitamin D from sunlight and are reliant on meeting our requirements from our diet.

Only a few foods are rich in vitamin D (oily fish, eggs, mushrooms), and these are not frequently consumed. Only a few foods are fortified with vitamin D (eg. some cereals, milk, etc.), and these tend to be more expensive and not widely available. The lack of a vitamin D food fortification policy in Ireland, coupled with inadequate sunlight, means we experience some of the highest deficiency rates in Western Europe.

In the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, a nationally representative sample of older adults in Ireland, we found that: 

• 47% of all adults over 85 are vitamin D-deficient in winter 
• 1 in 8 adults over 50 are deficient all year round 
• Only 4% of men and 15% of women take a vitamin D supplement 

Only a few foods are rich in vitamin D (oily fish, eggs, mushrooms), and these are not frequently consumed.

Those most at risk of deficiency include: 

• People who get little sun exposure or eat low amounts of fortified foods, especially housebound people 
• People who are obese or physically inactive, have asthma/chronic lung disease or inflammatory conditions 
• Those from poorer backgrounds
• Males and those who live alone 
• Ethnic minorities/non-Caucasians

Some recommendations 

New recommendations from the Department of Health and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in 2020 advise that ‘all older Irish adults aged 65 and older take a vitamin D supplement of 15 micrograms (μg)/600 International Units (IU) every day to ensure they get the vitamin D needed for bone and muscle health.’

This can be either through a multivitamin, a calcium and vitamin D supplement or a vitamin D-only supplement. Older adults are also encouraged to try and eat vitamin-rich foods such as oily fish which can infer additional health benefits.

The post Essential information about vitamin D and your health appeared first on Health News.

Marjie Seinen

User-centred Designer, Tover

People living with dementia can be mentally stimulated by purposeful play activities, including sensory technology that projects interactive games onto a tabletop or floor.

Adults living with dementia or intellectual disabilities can benefit hugely from purposeful play, says Alena Ulicka, Senior Activity Leader at CareChoice Montenotte nursing home in Cork. As its name suggests, purposeful play is done for a reason: to stimulate minds and enrich lives.

Stimulating patients with purposeful play

“When people hear the word ‘play,’ they tend to think of children in a playground,” says Ulicka. “But purposeful play is different. It’s something that senior residents can join in with and be cognitively stimulated by, which is especially important for those living with advanced dementia.”

Ulicka and her team provide a range of supervised activities including painting, baking and gardening. Crucially, all are interactive.

People can make connections with each other through this type of play.

Alena Ulicka

Another way of providing mental stimulation for those living with dementia is with sensory technology called a Tovertafel — Dutch for ‘magic table.’ This projects interactive games onto a tabletop or floor which can provoke powerfully positive reactions in people. “We call these reactions sparkle moments,” explains Ulicka. “A resident sitting at the table may not do anything at first. But then they see the images and realise that they can touch them and play with them. There’s a sparkle in their eyes when they understand that this is something exciting and new.”

Developed in the Netherlands, Tovertafel’s games are co-designed with people living with dementia, carers and relatives. Tover’s user-centred designer, Marije Seinen, explains how it works: “All our game ideas are based on suggestions from the field. We try our designs together on-site, observe the gameplay very closely, record it on video and gather valuable information for developing the prototypes, which we then test again with everyone.”

Making connections helps to spark reminiscence

The Tovertafel can also help people reminisce. One of its games involves ‘decorating’ a Christmas tree, which can lead to memories of past Christmases.

“Some residents with dementia don’t always recognise members of their own family, so the Tovertafel will be a fun and stimulating way to bring them together,” she says. “People can make connections with each other through this type of play. And if we’re not successful at first, we keep trying until we are. Because that’s the challenge with dementia. The person is there. We just need to ‘find’ them.”

The post Why sensory tech can bring light into the lives of people with dementia appeared first on Health News.

Since modern health systems were established, demographic ageing has substantially changed our healthcare needs. Acute care needs have been replaced by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases.

In 2019, 35.7% of the EU population aged 16 and over reported having a long-standing illness. For many patients, the goal is not the cure — but getting back to living the best life possible.

Real health issues

Health should not be considered a standalone issue. As we age, it is intrinsic to our lives and the way we want to live. Health blurs with social care and our social interactions. Our care circle spreads beyond a handful of health professionals. 

Chronic disease is complex, dynamic and enduring. Capturing, recording, processing and sharing detailed information — as it changes with time — creates huge flows of data. Too much to rely on paper records alone.

Digital health benefits

Digital health can provide a more holistic approach to meeting a patient’s needs while capturing data.

Often, the narrative has been one of cost savings, but digital health interventions also offer improvements in the quality of care and its outcomes. Making digital technologies more widely available means patient needs can be met with teleconsulting and remote monitoring — reducing the time and resources associated with attending in-person appointments.

Remote monitoring tools facilitate frequent and real-time measurement of vital signs. Patients can track trends and changes in their data with artificial intelligence and securely share this data with carers. They could even predict a critical event to avoid crisis hospitalisation. 

Digital health can provide a more holistic approach to meeting a patient’s needs while capturing data.

Assistive technology

EIT Health-supported startup MiiCare provides AI-based assistive technology to help elderly people living alone manage their health. They can set personalised medication alerts and reminders, track rest or body vitals and monitor hydration. The advanced AI predicts expected health problems, helping to prevent these via emergency voice command.

There are many innovative digital health companies in Europe, supported by organisations like EIT Health, working hard to leverage new technology that optimises the ageing experience. By placing the patient at the centre of the design process, it becomes much simpler for the elderly or those less digitally savvy to adopt these tools into everyday life. 

To support digital health companies as they continue developing solutions for healthy ageing, we must provide speedy and efficient methods for evaluating and reimbursing them. Nations that already have mechanisms in place to do this will benefit not only through improved care and efficiencies but also economic growth through innovation.

The post Digital technology can support a holistic approach to healthy ageing appeared first on Health News.

Glaucoma is a serious and progressive eye disease which, left untreated, can lead to blindness. It can be difficult to detect without an eye test as most types of glaucoma have no symptoms.

Glaucoma is most frequently caused by an increase in eye pressure when the fluid produced cannot drain out adequately. Damage to the optic nerve is irreversible, so early diagnosis is crucial. Lowering eye pressure is the most effective way to control glaucoma and the only proven treatment.

What happens after diagnosis?

Once diagnosed, the most common treatment is prescription eye drops, which will help to either reduce fluid production or increase the drainage of fluid from the eye. However, a significant proportion of glaucoma patients may have poor adherence to their eye drops. This can be due to side effects of the medication, complicated dosing requirements or a lack of understanding about the need to continually treat this disease.¹

Lowering eye pressure is the most effective way to control glaucoma and the only proven treatment.

Treatment with iStent® inject W, a trabecular micro-bypass surgery, at the same time as cataract surgery has the triple benefit of improving sight — reducing eye pressure and helping the comfort and health of the ocular surface.

Treatment for glaucoma

Trabecular micro-bypass surgery comprises microscopic 0.36mm stents which are implanted into the eye. The surgery is quick, safe and can be performed under needle-less anaesthetic at the same time as cataract surgery or as a separate procedure. It can be a good alternative treatment.

The stents work by helping to restore the eye’s natural fluid outflow which, in turn, reduces eye pressure. An international study has shown that 72% of patients who were treated with this no longer need to take glaucoma medication after 12 months.¹

[1] European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma, 4^th Edition. British Journal of Ophthalomogy 2017.201

The post An advanced device for glaucoma therapy can reduce eye pressure appeared first on Health News.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a long-described disorder where a waxy, protein-like substance is deposited on the heart muscle making it stiff and, ultimately, weak.

Cardiac amyloidosis can cause breathlessness (labelled as ‘heart failure’) and heart rhythm problems that can lead to death. It has two main types: one is driven by proteins made by the bone marrow and the other by proteins made in the liver.

Stiff heart syndrome

Both reproduce the same, stiff heart that looks overgrown or too thick on cardiac ultrasound. It can cause neuropathy when protein is deposited in nerves. This leads to tingling in the arms and legs and, sometimes, loss of control on bowel and bladder function. 

The bone marrow variety is essentially a type of low-grade cancer requiring chemotherapy to control it. The liver-driven process is often a genetic disorder.

Available treatment

Until the last two years, there was little available treatment, apart from a liver transplant that can sometimes be done if caught early enough. The liver version (TTR amyloid) can also occur in the elderly even if they don’t have the gene disorder or a family history of it.

Thankfully, there has been a sudden treatment breakthrough using a variety of novel technologies (including ‘gene-silencing’ drugs with possible long-term effects). Two new medications are now licenced in Ireland: a tablet-a-day and another involving intermittent infusion injections.

We must find affected families and pick up cases that are still early in development.

Helping families

We now have viable treatment to halt the deposition of these proteins. Large-scale clinical studies published years ago suggest that the earlier the patient receives treatment, the better the long-term outcome. 

We must find affected families and pick up cases that are still early in development — to increase the amount of genetic testing and offer some hope for a disorder that, for so long, had no treatment​​.

The post Gene-silencing drugs are among the innovative treatments for stiff heart appeared first on Health News.

From a standing start, Ireland has made remarkable progress in establishing a vibrant digital health SME system.

Digital health is recognised as a new discipline providing great potential to transform the healthcare system. Despite outstanding performance in economic growth, digital deployment (Ireland is fifth in the EU DESI) and outstanding clinicians, the Irish healthcare system is ranked very low (number 80) in the ranking of global healthcare systems by CEO World.

Healthcare investment

Globally, digital health is seeing record levels of venture capital investment, and Ireland is seeing more entrepreneurial activity in the industry.

Ireland is building an Open Collaborative ecosystem to rapidly improve our healthcare system. Undirected innovation can lead to much waste, slow progress and inefficiencies. To orchestrate the efforts and innovation to fix the Irish healthcare system, we are using the Open Innovation 2.0 methodology. Additionally, we use the Stay Left, Shift Left 10X strategy and doctrine to help align, amplify and accelerate our collective efforts.

Historically, it has been very difficult for Irish Digital Health SMEs to penetrate the Irish Health Service. This has created at least two problems: lack of innovation in health services and Irish Digital Health SMEs being forced to go abroad.

Globally, digital health is seeing record levels of venture capital investment, and Ireland is seeing more entrepreneurial activity in the industry.

Recognising leaders

A culture of openness and the adoption of the Open Innovation 2.0 (OI2) living labs approach has allowed effective collaboration and co-creation with a network of Irish Digital Health SMEs.

HSE Digital Transformation has worked closely with Enterprise Ireland, IDA, SFI, IDHLSG and others to foster an environment where digital health solutions and research can be successfully iterated in clinical settings.

Together with Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, we will announce the First 25 at the UNGA Science Summit in New York on September 26th and at the Smart Health Summit in Croke Park on September 28th — the top 25 indigenous Digital Health companies and CEOs in Ireland for 2022 working with the Irish Health System. Five Irish companies were physically present in New York, sharing their solutions and 10X benefits, Silvercloud, PMD Solutions, Halocare, Redzinc and Phyxium.   

This list is prepared based on how well each company is helping enable the Irish Digital Health Strategy ‘Stay Left, Shift Left -10X’ and have been assessed based on 12 criteria. This includes better care, lower cost, better experience and better quality of life.

Digital health contribution

With companies collaborating in a vibrant ecosystem, the future is surely bright with lengthened lives and economic growth delivered in parallel. The digitalisation and virtualisation of care mean sustainability benefits, avoiding travel and minimising the risk of infection for patients.

The post Accelerating health benefits and solutions for Irish citizens and economic growth appeared first on Health News.

My initial diagnosis didn’t happen overnight. Amyloidosis is often overlooked as signs and symptoms mimic other diseases.

I started with breathlessness, fatigue and a feeling of a weight on my chest. In 2010, I had a stent put in my artery. I returned to work on my usual medications and felt like a new woman. Five years after, I had pains all over.

I was in and out of hospital and experienced a heart attack. Three years later, after many procedures, I was diagnosed with Cardiac Amyloidosis. The mutation is known as Donegal Amy — with a 50% chance of passing the gene to our children.

The group is like my second family.

I was under the care of Professor Emer Joyce and her team. Dr Joyce ordered genetic testing and medications were changed.

Infusion medication started in March 2022 then home infusions in May. Recently, I was told I am stable with no side effects. The support after my diagnosis from ATTR: Amyloidosis all Ireland Support group was tremendous. The group is like my second family. With treatment available, early diagnosis is the answer. With the infusions, I have already noticed a difference in my quality of life. Hopefully, it will be a game-changer for the future.

The post Mary found support living with hereditary amyloidosis appeared first on Health News.

People need to know the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, a potentially deadly condition that affects thousands every year. More importantly, they should know how to respond to it.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) does not discriminate, notes Professor Andrew Lockey, President of Resuscitation Council UK.

It happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively because of a malfunction of the heart’s electrical system, and it can affect anyone — of any age and at any time (although some are at higher risk than others).

Properly identifying SCA

There may be warning signs, such as chest pains, but it often strikes without any warning. Tragically, the survival rate is low.

Sudden cardiac arrest shouldn’t be confused with a heart attack because the symptoms are different. “Someone who is having a heart attack will be awake and talking,” explains Professor Lockey. “Whereas when a person goes into SCA they will be unconscious, not talking, and either not breathing or not breathing normally.”

Each year, in the UK, there are 30,000 out-of-hospital cases. Professor Lockey says that it’s important for people to know what to do if someone goes into SCA. It’s the knowledge that could save lives.

Why giving chest compressions increases the chances of survival

Speed is of the essence. Without intervention, the odds of survival decrease about 10% every minute. Therefore, performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical. “You can increase the odds of survival by calling for help, then performing chest compressions,” says Professor Lockey. “This can be as simple as pushing up and down on the chest which buys extra time until an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be used on the patient.”

AEDs convert the heart back to a normal rhythm and are designed to be used by non-medical professionals. “You only need two hands to save a life,” he adds. “And you don’t have to be a medical professional to do it.”

Without intervention, the odds of survival decrease about 10% every minute.

Education for emergency measures

Resuscitation Council UK wants everyone to have the chance of learning CPR. Its Restart A Heart initiative is teaching schoolchildren CPR and defibrillator awareness. “Over the next 10 years, we will be training a generation of SCA lifesavers,” says Professor Lockey. “Unfortunately, we know that older people — 45 and over — are less aware of SCA and less likely to know about CPR or what a defibrillator is; but it’s vital that they get the message because it could save lives and that is why we have introduced our CPQR campaign to help raise awareness amongst everyone, so you can scan it, learn it, and save a life.”

The post Knowing how to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest could be a lifesaver appeared first on Health News.